31 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

While MM and I were off visiting family, one of the chickens cut her foot. The kids have been taking care of her and doing a great job at it! They've cleaned, doctored and bandaged her up so that she is healing nicely. Love having the kids on the farm.

25 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

It's Christmas time! Merry Christmas from the farm to all our friends and family. Thanking God for all his provision especially the gift of his son - born, died, buried, and rose again! YAY!

24 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

We've been busy working on remodeling the cattle stalls. We were not planning to do this just yet but decided that we'd better not wait. Watching our moo girls indicates that their babies are active. And because we don't know for sure how far along they are we decided to go ahead with the remodel in the event they are further along than we guess. During yesterday's remodeling activity, the girls decided it was time they scampered through the gate to check out the orchard. Fortunately for us, the sound of cattle cubes in the blue bucket called 'em right back to their pasture.

Christmas Ice - Early

We got ice for Christmas this year.  It arrived a couple of days early but it's here!  While the crystalline landscape is beautiful, it has a ominous crunch to it also.  The dogs were having trouble running across the field.  At times it was as if they were walking on hot coals.  They moved their feet so gingerly.  The moo girls spent time foraging but came back to the barn early for hay.  The chickens chose to stay inside for the most part.  They even moved gingerly about doing very little scratching.  We had a visiting hawk that was much to close to the chicken pen for comfort.  Trudging through tall grass is good exercise for this ole' girl but working my way over the ice coated grass was an adventure for sure.  I hate being cold.  I'd take the heat of summer over the aching cold of winter every time.  I appreciate the beauty of winter and I am so thankful for the time of rest.  However, I look forward to Spring because of the "Hope".  Is your life filled with Hope?  If not, take time today to personally meet Jesus Christ and begin an everlasting relationship.  Homesteading on the farm has been an incredible blessing.  Sometimes I don't have the words to express it all.

21 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

We are covered in a half inch of ice outside our house but inside we are warmed by the fire.  Once again we are all together and the weather is frightful.  It just might be a puzzle kind of day!  Our annual Christmas Event was a time of great fellowship last night.  Thanks to all who came out to visit with us.  Perhaps we'll brave the outdoors later for a few pics.  No promises tho!

13 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

 It's overcast and wet on the farm today but not as cold.  Yay!  However, the wind is a bit fierce.  We are getting ready for the Annual Christmas Event around here.  Decorating, cleaning, planning the food list, cleaning, working on Christmas cards.  Yes, it's a wonderful day!

Varmints on the loose! Oh, wait, that's...

Varmints on the loose!  Oh, wait, that's my chickens.

 I took a little trip into the little town today and upon my return as I was attempting to unlock the door, I saw something waving at the corner of the workshop.  Huh?  There it was again.  It's dark colored.  Where'd it go?  Then hen #2 poked her head around the side of the building and my brain goes... "Oh, it's just a chicken."  What?  Yup my Speckled Sussex girls have decided that free-ranging is for them.  After spying #2 on the west side of the run, I noticed that someone was in the garden.  Tootsie (#1) was having a grand time over there on the east side with a couple of the black Australourpe girls.  They are fed in the run, their water is in the run, the roosters are in the run.  Oh, never-mind.

12 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

I must admit that I was very excited about posting regular farm updates. However, I'm not the most consistent person in the world so it's been hit or miss. All the farm animals have survived the first big snow. It's still pretty cold around here though. At least the water is NOT freezing quickly. The chickens are continuing to stay in the coop because the don't care for the snow and frozen ground. The moo girls are getting insistent about the cattle cubes. Those things must be incredible because they sure don't hesitate to run up and get their noses in the bucket after them. I love seeing them come running but there's a lot of caution knowing that an 600+ pound animal is heading straight for you. Considering that they've only been with us for six months, they haven't tried to get overly frisky. Messing with their food (hay or cubes) can bring out some interesting behavior. We are truly blessed here on the farm.

06 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

Snow.  That is what it is.  Got out this morning and made sure the animals all had food and water.  Then went back out later to make sure the water wasn't freezing up quickly.  Sweet Pea is one of the busiest dogs I have ever seen.  The snow was smooth and beautiful this morning.  Bear left only a couple of trails where he did his nightly rounds.  But...  after Sweet Pea was released, there are trails everywhere.  EVERYWHERE.  That little dog keeps moving.  We figure by the end of the day the entire property close to the house and some outer limits will have been trampled with a Sweet Pea track.  She's a hoot!

05 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

It is cold out here. I'm so thankful for a fireplace and wood to heat the house. I'm praying for those that have to work out in this weather. Although it is 28 degrees just outside the office window, the wind chill makes being outside miserable. Our cows seem to be indifferent about the cold as they continue to graze. The chickens are doing their fluff thing and staying warm. Sweet Pea has found herself a windbreak and is nestled down. Bear is on duty on the porch. My toes are cold so it's time to add to the fire. Stay warm, y'all.